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Research Areas

of Interest

Following are examples of some current and emerging topics of interest to IRC4HR™

The Changing World of Work

How do changes in the nature of organizations, work, and the workforce impact the nature of effective management programs and practices?

Technology that links resources together across organizational and geographic boundaries and that automates and augments the work of human beings; a global marketplace of consumers, talent, and financial capital; and changes in social values and expectations across a multinational and multigenerational workforce

New ways of working (virtually, globally, collaboratively) in teams that form and reform, with workers who contribute to the work of the organization via multiple kinds of relationships (e.g., part- or full-time employees; temporary workers; on-demand workers; contractors and consultants; employees of contract companies; and employees of business partners and suppliers)

All contribute to an ongoing transformation of the world of work.

How can organization and workforce interests be aligned across a multitude of work relationships and demographic groups?

What is the new ‘glue’ that binds people and organizations – and their collective interests – together?

How will the increasing use of automation and cognitive technologies impact the economics, sociology, and experience of human beings in the workplace?

What do management practices look like in organizations that are successfully performing in this new world?

Organization Mission and Employment Practices

How does the nature of an organization’s mission or business model (i.e., nonprofit, for-profit, government, education) impact its employment practices? In industries undergoing significant change, what are the impacts on the workforce and what is needed to address them?

Organizations in every sector face financial pressures, whether from global competition or shrinking tax bases; along with increasing performance expectations, whether from donors looking for measures of non-profit program impact or consumers demanding more customized products and services or shareholders looking for better returns on their investments.

From local, state, provincial, and federal governments, to the military, to educational institutions, to nonprofits, to for-profit companies, engaging the talent needed to fulfill the organization’s mission is further impacted by changing demographics, social values, and political forces.

How does the nature of the mission and operating environment of each of these sectors impact their respective employment practices?

What changes are organizations pursuing (or should they be considering) to improve (and/or maintain) their health and viability?

Are there opportunities to leverage experience, learning, and insights across the various sectors?

Born Global

How do the demands of operating in a global business environment impact new and emerging organizations?

‘Going global’ used to be a point in the maturity of an organization that came after years of mastering domestic markets and building the leadership, organization structure, and operating infrastructure to support the complex demands of a global market. Today, most organizations do not have the luxury of growing and maturing into a global business. Largely as a result of the Internet, every entrepreneur and new business confronts the almost instant demands of launching in a global market. This phenomenon of being ‘born global’ creates both opportunity and challenge.

Language, culture, regulations, local leadership, and translating home-country success into what works in other countries are among some of the immediate issues that new and small businesses will confront in expanding globally. Often the skills and experience needed to navigate these challenges are underestimated.

What kinds of organization, leadership, and talent strategies and approaches have proven to be effective for new and emerging businesses moving into the global market?

How can new and emerging businesses accelerate the process of developing their global capacity and enhance their likelihood of success?

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